How to Get Hired: 10 Tips for a Successful Job Interview

When you're a candidate for a new job, the job interview process can be one of the most important factors in your potential employer's hiring calculus. For some, the interview can also be the single most daunting part of a job search. With proper interview preparation, though, job candidates can make this part of the process the highlight of their application.

When you sit down for a job interview, you are typically interfacing with one of three people: the person who will be your direct supervisor, a hiring manager who handles employment for the entire organization, or a third-party recruiter interviewing you on behalf of the company where you'll work. Sometimes at a startup or very small business, the founder or CEO will interview you personally. If you prepare properly and demonstrate solid communication skills, you can ace this part of the hiring process. Here are some interview tips for job seekers striving for interview success:

1. 1. Do your research. While most of the interview questions will be about you, many will be about how you might fit the organization and its company culture. A simple Internet search on the company you’re applying to work for can equip you with information you need to make a great first impression. Make sure you fully understand the job description of the position for which you're being interviewed. Be prepared for some version of the question: "Why do you want to work here?"
2. 2. Dress appropriately. You'll probably be able to get a sense of a company's dress code before you interview. Do your best to dress in a way that matches your perception of the company culture. For instance, a matching suit might be appropriate for an interview at a law firm but would be awkwardly formal for an interview at a beer distributor.
3. 3. Bring materials. Bring a few copies of your resume with you to the interview, even if you've already submitted one digitally. It can never hurt to be overly prepared. The best candidates typically go above and beyond.
4. 4. Remember that body language matters. You communicate a lot in the way you carry yourself. When you sit up straight and make eye contact, you convey confidence. When you lean forward, you communicate interest in the person talking to you. But when you look down, mumble, or fidget, it suggests a lack of full engagement.
5. 5. Be honest. Nobody is perfect, and the person interviewing you understands that you're human just like anyone else. One of the more common interview questions involves asking a candidate to name their greatest weaknesses. If you're asked this, be honest—but also be wary of naming a weakness that suggests you don't work well with others or can't conform to company culture. If those are legitimate issues you face, you'll need to work on improving them before you go out for job interviews.
6. 6. Speak respectfully about your current job (or previous job). Even if you can't wait to leave your current employer, you should speak about them diplomatically. One of the biggest interview mistakes occurs when a candidate is certain they have the job and starts trashing the supervisor from their last job. That can leave a terrible impression, so stay respectful and professional no matter what.
7. 7. Be prepared to ask your own questions. The last question your interviewer might pose could be something like: "Do you have any questions for me?" If you're given the opportunity, seize it. Come with a list of questions that you'd like to pose if prompted, or jot a few down as you chat. These questions shouldn't be geared toward picking the company apart; they should show sincere interest in the company, its business model, and the potential job offer in front of you.
8. 8. Follow up afterward. If you want to make a lasting impressing, dash off a quick thank you note via email. A few sentences will be plenty. The mere act of sending the message shows that you care and that you appreciate the consideration.
9. 9. Always assume there are other candidates. In most economic environments, open job positions attract many candidates. When you leave the room, it's possible someone will interview right after you. Even if you're interviewing for your dream job and believe it to be a perfect match, you must think of yourself as in competition with others. Do everything you can to be extra prepared.
10. 10. Treat remote interviews like you would in-person interviews. There was a time when all interviews were conducted in person, but those days are long gone. If you're asked to do a phone interview or a video conference, all of the above rules still apply.

By applying these rules and heavily preparing, you put yourself in a great position to elevate yourself among other good candidates and push toward winning a job. But even if you bomb an interview, think of it as a learning experience. After all, opportunities missed in one interview can lead to opportunities seized in your next interview.

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